After 11 years, FERWAFA hotel opens its Doors, Rwanda’s U-17 team first to check n

After more than a decade of delays, the FERWAFA Hotel, a four-star facility built by the Rwanda Football Federation, has officially opened its doors. The first guests? Rwanda’s U-17 national team, currently preparing for the CECAFA U-17 Championship set to begin on November 15, 2025.

The tournament will determine which teams from East and Central Africa qualify for the upcoming Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

The young Amavubi squad is now in full residential training at the newly completed hotel, located near Kigali Pelé Stadium. Rwanda is placed in Group A, alongside: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan

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The team’s presence marks a symbolic start for the hotel’s operations, aligning with Rwanda’s broader goals of investing in youth sports development.

Construction began in August 2015, with an initial completion target of late 2016. The project was backed by FIFA and the Moroccan Football Federation, with a budget of $4 million (over 4 billion Rwandan francs).

Due to various setbacks, only one wing was completed, featuring: 42 guest rooms, 2 large dining halls and multiple meeting and utility rooms.

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Final construction resumed in June 2021 and was completed in early 2023, paving the way for full operations in late 2025.

The hotel is expected to serve not only national teams but also visiting guests and sports tourists. A 1,000-seat auxiliary stadium is under construction nearby to complement Kigali Pelé Stadium, designed for low-attendance matches and training sessions.

This expansion reflects Rwanda’s commitment to building world-class sports infrastructure and positioning itself as a regional hub for football development.

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